Investments will impact Appanoose, Audubon, Carroll, Clayton, Crawford, Decatur, Fremont, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Harrison, Jackson, Poweshiek, Sac, Union, Van Buren, and Washington counties

DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept. 21, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that the Agency is investing $4,782,800 in loans and $268,500 in grants to 13 rural Iowa projects to help communities and businesses improve critical community infrastructure and promote economic development.

“These investments will help our rural neighbors establish and operate vital services, such as health care facilities, volunteer fire departments, and school transport,” said Director Greenfield. “Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has made improving communities and expanding access to capital for small business top priorities. When we address these needs with grants and loans, we help uplift rural Iowa.”

Among the USDA Funded Projects:

-The City of Randolph in Fremont County received a $22,000 grant from the Water and Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants program to prepare a water facility improvements plan. This project will produce a facility plan created by professional engineers that includes alternatives and recommendations to meet the rehabilitation needs of the entire water system. Once completed, the project will help guide the city’s planning efforts and will promote the safety of the local water supply for the residents of this rural community.

–Region XII Council of Governments in Carroll received a $1 million loan from the Intermediary Relending Program to expand the lending capacity of its revolving loan fund. This project will enable the organization, a voluntary association formed to facilitate multi-community collaboration, to finance development projects by providing loans to businesses in their seven-county region. Once completed, this project will promote economic progress and increase employment opportunities for residents in rural Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, Greene, Guthrie, and Sac counties.

Community Facilities Grants were awarded to:

-The City of Coon Rapids: a $45,600 grant to purchase equipment. This project will provide 14 air packs and related materials to facilitate firefighting and rescue operations. The project will replace the fire department’s expired air packs. Once in service, this equipment will help safeguard the lives of the city’s fire volunteers during the dangerous situations they may encounter while serving the emergency needs of this rural Carroll County community.

–Woodbine Community School District: a $35,700 grant to purchase a vehicle. This project will provide an 11-passenger van to transport small groups of students. Once in operation, the vehicle will increase operational efficiencies and promote the safety of school district passengers in this rural Harrison County community.

-The City of Creston received a $28,600 grant to purchase a law enforcement vehicle. This project will replace an aging patrol unit with a new model for the city’s law enforcement department. Once in operation, the new vehicle will increase operational efficiency and promote the safety of residents and law enforcement personnel in this rural Union County community.

(Radio Iowa) – Kevin Reynolds, the husband of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. The governor issued a written statement this (Thursday) revealing her husband’s diagnosis. Reynolds says the couple has every reason to be optimistic, as their doctor has assured them there have been significant advancements in lung cancer treatment. Kevin and Kim Reynolds have been married for 41 years.

She describes her husband as her anchor throughout their marriage and Reynolds says she will be the same for him as he begins treatment. The governor says she and her husband are blessed to e surrounded by a loving family and a community of prayer warriors — and they know God is with them on this journey.

Cass Health Senior Life Solutions is hosting a community walk Saturday in support of National Suicide Prevention Month.  Program Therapist Casey Peterson says people of all ages can be considering suicide for many reasons.  She says it can be a bit more difficult to see the risk in the older population.

The free event will begin at 6:30 Saturday evening at the Rotary Shelter at Schildberg Recreation Area with a local speaker sharing a personal story.  The walk will begin at 7:00 pm around the trail loop.  There will be light refreshments and community resources available.  Peterson says she hopes the walk will help raise awareness of a very important issue.

The event is co-hosted by Healthy Cass County, Cass County ISU Extension and Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services.   If you, or someone you care about is in an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.  If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or are in crisis, call, text or chat the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8.